Olmsted County sets preliminary levy for 2024
September 20, 2023
At the September 19, 2023 Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board certified the preliminary 2024 levy for Olmsted County and the Olmsted County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA).
The 2024 preliminary property tax levy for Olmsted County and the HRA combined totals $130,602,041. This will be funded with county and HRA property taxes of $125,692,357 and $4,909,684, respectively.
It's important to note that the preliminary levy is a maximum amount the board cannot exceed when it approves the final 2024 budget and levy on December 19, 2023. If the preliminary 2024 levy is approved in December, the county’s $125,692,357 property tax will be a 5.2% increase over 2023.
“There is a lot of analysis, discussion, and contemplation that goes into creating a workable budget for the county. Nationwide, everyone is facing inflation and rising health care costs, and that affects our work at the county as well,” explained Olmsted County Administrator Heidi Welsch. “Previously, to manage inflationary pressures, we had put several capital projects and equipment on hold, but we cannot afford to keep deferring this important work.”
Welsch noted that the Board of Commissioners plans to fund the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at 1% of levy each year for the next five years to reach all CIP goals. This work includes development of a Justice Center at the Government Center, a law enforcement training facility near the Public Works Service Center, planning for the Graham Park exhibition center, design of a materials recovery facility, and continued design and construction of the interchange at County State Aid Highway 44 and Trunk Highway 14.
“We’re fortunate we didn’t need to set the preliminary levy higher thanks to 2023 state legislature funding that has helped the county cover a variety of one-time needs. Increases in County Program Aid and corrections funding from the legislature has also been useful in helping to cover expenses,” Welsch added.
Upcoming county budget meetings
There are a few upcoming public meetings related to the county’s 2024 budget:
- December 7, 2023 - 6 p.m.: Truth in Taxation public meeting. This presentation will provide further information about Olmsted County’s budget and levy and an opportunity for public comment.
- December 19, 2023 - 6 p.m.: Olmsted County commissioners adopt the final 2024 budget and levy.
Details about these public meetings are available on our Olmsted County website. Residents may join these meetings in the board room at the Olmsted County Government Center. Residents may also join the meetings virtually via the Microsoft Teams link provided in the meeting agendas.
Upcoming 2024 budget communications
A press release will be distributed on December 20, 2023, providing details about Olmsted County’s final 2024 budget and levy. This communication will also provide links to the following:
- 2024 Budget Message from Olmsted County Administrator Heidi Welsch.
- 2024 Budget in Brief: An overview of the Olmsted County budget and assessed taxes by the county and other taxing entities. It will also feature examples of Olmsted County’s work to provide effective and efficient government using tax levy and other revenue.
- 2024 Countywide Scorecard: A balanced scorecard to track measures of success impacting county operations.
To see the materials created for the county’s 2023 budget, view the resources available on the county’s budget webpage. This page will be updated with 2024 information on December 20.
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Media Contact: Rachel Wick, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6537